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Monday, June 4, 2012

Travel and Logistics

Hey everyone,
I wasn't going to make a post on this, but "why not" I guess. So I received all of my travel information, dates I am leaving, when my orientation in New York is, etc, etc. I leave this lovely state of Minnesota on September 5th, probably sometime in the early morning to fly to New York (I haven't booked my domestic flight yet so I'm not sure). I'm supposed to arrive in New York sometime between 12:00pm and 4:00pm. Then I will meet AFS people and we'll all go to a hotel right by JFK to stay there for the night and have our orientation. All of the kids from the U.S. going to Italy will be there along with other students going to France and Spain I believe. They have different orientations though I guess. Im not really sure.
Then on Sept 6th at 10:00pm we fly to Zurich Switzerland! It's a 13 1/2 hour flight! (My friend corrected me in the comments. It's actually a 7 1/2 hour flight due to the time change!) Then we have an hour or so layover in Zurich and we fly to Rome. I am guessing after we get to Rome we meet up with all of the other students from all over the world going to Italy (at a hotel or something probably). There are I think about 470 of us so... It will be crazy and fun! After that we all part ways and go to our host families! Oh yeah that reminds me...I have yet to receive mine. -_-
I'm a little frustrated about that, but I guess I just have to be patient seeing as I might not get mine until a week before I leave (which I am really hoping does not happen).
Did I ever say anything about my visa? I also have to start working on that. There is a bit of paperwork that still needs to be filled out, along with birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc. And on August 21st I have to go in person to the Italian Consulate in Chicago to obtain it. Hopefully all will go well.

That's all for now,

Nicole

7 comments:

  1. Hey, how did you get the appointment for the consulate? Did AFS tell you how to arrange it? :) I'm not going to Italy but the visa processes are somewhat similar I think. So much paperwork... :\

    Don't worry, I bet you'll get an amazing placement even though it takes a while! Just hang in there.

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    1. I had to look around a little. They told me to go somewhere on the afs website. For you it would be here: http://www.afsusa.org/applicants/spain. Then click on "year program" under "visa information". Each consulate had jurisdiction over certain states and for me, I have to go to Chicago. I think for spain you have to show up in person as well. Yeah there is a lot of paperwork.. :P
      Aww well thank you.(: I'll try lol.

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    2. And to get the appointment just call!

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  2. Actually...We have the whole day in Rome on the 7th (I arrive 15 minutes earlier than you) and the whole day on the 8th and some time on the 9th :) It's going to be awesome!

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  3. just thought this might make you happy... (and you probably know this but didn't remember when you were writing- I did the same thing emailing my granny, who corrected me)
    the flight isn't 13 1/2 hours! :D
    it's 7 1/2, and then there's the 6 hour time change! :)
    fffheew.

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    1. OMG I didn't even think about that you are totally right! xD I'm a ditz haha.

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